July 10, 2020, issue of 'AOPA ePilot' weekly newsletter


VOL 21, ISSUE 28	July 10, 2020

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Top Stories

Article

'Mother Of All Cubs' boosts backcountry performance, power

Texas kitplane producer American Legend offers a more powerful, rugged, three-seat version of the Legend Cub dubbed the "Mother Of All Cubs." (Photo courtesy of American Legend Aircraft.) Read more >

Article

'Hangar Talk' podcast hits the century mark

AOPA President Mark Baker joins the 100th episode of Hangar Talk to discuss how aviation is responding to the COVID-19 crisis, how future technology will shape the way we fly, and more. Read more and listen to the podcast >

AOPA Live This Week

Stratos first flight; Action camera optimization

See the first flight of the Stratos 716X kit jet, and AOPA Editor at Large Dave Hirschman uses small cameras to coach AOPA Air Safety Institute Vice President Richard McSpadden to better taildragger landings. Watch AOPA Live This Week® >

Technique and Safety

Video

'The Impossible Turn'

Facing an emergency, Dave Keller chose to execute the "impossible turn" back to the airport—a risky and often fatal maneuver. This AOPA Air Safety Institute Real Pilot Story includes footage from Keller's flight.

Density altitude dangers

Get a better grasp of how the unseen danger of "hot and high" conditions can affect you with the AOPA Air Safety Institute's "Density Altitude" quiz.

Webinar

ATC, weather, and you

AOPA Air Safety Institute Senior Director Paul Deres will host an interactive conversation with air traffic controllers on July 16 at noon Eastern time to discuss how ATC can help pilots deal with unexpected or rapidly changing weather conditions. FAA Wings credit is available for this webinar. Register now >

Advocacy

FAA answers common questions about pandemic SFAR

The FAA Safety Team published answers to common questions about the special federal aviation regulations governing pilot currency, training, and medical requirements during the coronavirus pandemic. Read more >

Advocacy

Cuba ends free overflight permits for GA

Cuba's aviation authorities have informed AOPA that they have discontinued the policy of issuing free overflight permits to light-aircraft pilots bound for airports in Mexico, the Cayman Islands, Jamaica, and other destinations. Read more >

Technology

Article

Lighter, longer Stratos logs first flight

The Stratos 716X made its maiden flight July 2 following a "complete redesign" that added two seats and shaved hundreds of pounds from its four-seat predecessor. Read more >

Opinion

Blog

North Pole in sight

Late-night jitters kept Opinion Leaders blogger Robert DeLaurentis awake as he finalized his plan to overfly the North Pole in Citizen of the World. Read more >

Travel

Article

VFR Unleashed: How to get yourself in trouble

Get-there-itis can become stronger at the end of a long trip when you're tired and nothing sounds better than getting home. Read more >

Want more general aviation travel stories? Sign up for our free AOPA Travel Pilot biweekly newsletter.

Financial

Article

Business aviation coping with coronavirus losses

While other segments struggle during the coronavirus pandemic, elements of business aviation have recovered "smartly," said an industry observer. Read more >

Member benefit

Tips to make you a more attractive borrower

Here are some tips to help you get your financial house in order after a major life event. Read more >

News and Notes

Article

EAA celebrates Spirit of Aviation Week with packed schedule

More than 170 streamed and on-demand events are on tap for the Experimental Aircraft Association's virtual Spirit of Aviation Week July 21 to 25. Read more >

Article

AOPA cancels 2020 Hoover awards

AOPA has canceled the 2020 R.A. "Bob" Hoover Awards because of the coronavirus pandemic. Read more >

Article

Trailblazer Emily Howell Warner mourned

Emily Howell Warner, a National Aviation Hall of Fame inductee and the first woman pilot hired by a U.S. airline, died July 3 in Littleton, Colorado. She was 80. Read more >

Article

Former MLB pitcher, CFI Tyson Brummett dies in accident

Former Philadelphia Phillies pitcher and general aviation pilot Tyson Brummett and three passengers were killed July 3 in an aircraft accident in Utah. Read more >

Article

International Seaplane Fly-In canceled

The small town of Greenville, Maine, has drawn seaplanes by the score and visitors by the thousands each September for decades, but the coronavirus pandemic forced organizers to call off the 2020 International Seaplane Fly-In. Read more >

Pilot Protection Services

The FAA's role in accident investigations

It may surprise you that an FAA inspector often accompanies the NTSB or gathers information on behalf of the NTSB after an accident. Why is the FAA involved? Read more >

Career Opportunities

Aviation job board

Job of the week: Director of financial planning, sourcing, business analysis, Air Wisconsin

Air Wisconsin Airlines in Appleton, Wisconsin, seeks a director of financial planning, sourcing, and business analysis to assist in the oversight of all company long-term forecasts, strategic sourcing initiatives, and budget preparation, as well as labor and industry comparative analyses, and other ad hoc financial analyses. Read the full description and apply today >

AOPA career opportunities

Join the AOPA team

Ever dream of turning your passion for aviation into a career? AOPA is looking for a government affairs (regulatory) vice president, and a data analyst. To learn more about these and other AOPA career opportunities, visit AOPA Online >

Question of the Week

Question

Can I do my own airplane maintenance?

Answer

You can perform preventive maintenance operations as listed in FAR 43, Appendix A(c), Preventive maintenance. Read the full answer and join the discussion >

Correction: In the July 3 issue of AOPA ePilot, we incorrectly described the altitudes to fly on each leg of a flight. When flying different magnetic courses on individual legs, each leg flown above 3,000 feet agl would be flown at an appropriate altitude consistent with the "hemispherical rule." We regret the error.

This discussion is from our online Pilot Information Center, where you can ask questions, contribute answers, earn badges, and join our growing pilot community online. Got a question for our technical services staff? Contact AOPA.

Education & Seminars

AOPA's in-person educational courses and seminars have been canceled or postponed in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Stay sharp with our webinars, podcasts, and videos.

Upcoming AOPA webinars

July 11, 12 p.m. EDT	Flying Clubs Workshop: Maintenance considerations and insurance
July 16, 12 p.m. EDT	AOPA Rusty Pilots - Webinar edition
July 16, 12 p.m. EDT	ATC, weather, and the general aviation pilot
July 18, 12 p.m. EDT	Flying Clubs Workshop: Maintenance considerations and insurance
July 21, 12 p.m. EDT	AOPA Flying Clubs Webinar: Maximum fun, minimum cost
July 21, 2 p.m. EDT	AOPA Rusty Pilots - Webinar edition
July 22, 9 p.m. EDT	AOPA Rusty Pilots - Webinar edition

See the full webinar schedule in our online Pilot Information Center. (Log in to our online Pilot Information Center using your AOPA website username and password to view these events.) View our recently recorded webinars (registration required).

Latest AOPA Pilot Lounge videos

Kellee Edwards

High school scholarship winner Tristan Dawson

Flying to watch the SpaceX launch

Nick Hoffman

Supersonic ejection

Sean D. Tucker flies the GameBird GB1

For a full list of Pilot Lounge videos, see AOPA Online.

AOPA Podcasts

'Hangar Talk': AOPA President Mark Baker

'Hangar Talk' Flight Time series: John and Martha King

'Pilot Briefing': Week of July 6, 2020

'There I was...': Mark Murphy

'Never Again': Close call

'Pilot Protection Services Podcast': Predicting the future

To see all AOPA podcasts, visit AOPA Online.

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